Located on the north bank of the Thames in west London, Fulham is famous for its brightly painted homes and riverside views. The area is packed with outstanding schools, parks and family-friendly cafés on almost every corner alongside all the perks of London living without feeling like you’re right in the thick of the chaos.
Fulham makes an attractive base for those looking to settle outside the city centre, but what often tips the balance for parents is the calibre of its schools. From outstanding-rated primaries to prestigious independent institutions and high-achieving secondaries, the borough offers an excellent mix of schools for all ages.
In this guide, we provide a closer look at some of the most highly regarded schools in the area.
L’Ecole des Petits
Founded in 1977, L’Ecole des Petits began when Mirella Otten moved from Paris to London as a newly qualified teacher. Discovering that London lacked a formal École Maternelle, she took the initiative to establish her own school.
L’Ecole des Petits offers a French and English bilingual early years education and combines elements of the French National Curriculum and the English system to support early language development. Its small-scale and family-like setting is often praised by parents for its personalised approach to learning and children are offered priority places at L’Ecole de Battersea when moving on to further primary education.
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Fulham Primary School
Situated centrally in SW6, Fulham Primary is known for its welcoming atmosphere and committed staff. While relatively small in size, the school offers a broad curriculum that is equally supported by its strong pastoral provision.
The school aims to deliver an education that drives strong academic progress and places it in the top 20% nationally. It seeks to become the preferred local choice, with high attendance and punctuality, while preparing pupils to thrive as future citizens in an ever-changing world.
Langford Primary School
Langford Primary has earned an Outstanding rating from Ofsted and is well-regarded for both academic outcomes and inclusion. The school is thriving and highly successful, consistently performing within the top 20% nationally for exam results.
The ambitious curriculum aims to nurture well-rounded and enthusiastic learners with a genuine love of education. As part of United Learning, the school also benefits from a wealth of additional opportunities that enable pupils to develop character, experience a rigorous curriculum, meet high standards of behaviour and gain cultural capital through experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.
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St John’s Walham Green CofE Primary School
A popular choice among families due to its faith-based education and high academic standards, St John’s Walham Green promotes a Church of England ethos with strong results in core subjects. The school maintains a reputation for a clear moral framework, excellent pastoral support and consistent teaching quality.
In partnership with parents and families, the school encourages curiosity, teaches essential skills through a broad and balanced curriculum aligned with National Curriculum requirements and continually strives to enhance its learning environment. Central to its ethos is also the belief that learning to care for others and showing tolerance and forgiveness helps to build strong foundations for each child’s future.
The Hurlingham Academy
The Hurlingham Academy has rapidly risen in reputation, now standing as one of the highest-performing non-selective state secondary schools in the area. With a strong culture of ambition and effective leadership, the school has increasingly impressive exam outcomes with over a quarter of students achieving a Grade 7 or above in both English and Maths.
The Hurlingham Academy is guided by a clear vision to develop happy and healthy learners who achieve strong academic outcomes and grow into responsible young citizens, encouraged through a dedication to its teaching and pastoral care. Grounded in the motto "Discere et servire which translates to "To learn and to serve", the school promotes key values and encourages students to then apply them in real contexts.
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The Fulham Boys School
Conceptualised with a Church of England foundation but open to boys of all backgrounds, The Fulham Boys School has developed a clear identity that is centred on character and discipline. The school opened in 2014 and is now home to nearly 800 pupils, including a thriving Sixth Form and operates as an independent and publicly funded Free School.
Its ethos, which is rooted in Christian values, shapes every aspect of school life and promotes resilience, kindness and a can-do attitude amongst its students. As a non-selective and fully comprehensive facility, the school keeps class sizes small and relies on the full commitment of staff, parents and students to pursue its aim of becoming one of the best schools in the country.
Bute House Preparatory School for Girls
As one of the most competitive preparatory schools in London, Bute House prepares girls for entry to leading senior schools. At Bute House, the ethos “Every Girl Runs Her Own Best Race” shapes a culture that values individual growth over pressure-driven expectations, encouraging girls to be brave, curious, inclusive and independent.
Pupils flourish through a rich curriculum, engaging co-curricular opportunities and exceptional teaching that nurtures their unique talents. With a strong focus on resilience, emotional intelligence and empowerment, the school instils confidence and a sense of self, ensuring every girl has a voice and the courage to pursue her passions.
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Fulham Prep School
Catering for children from nursery up to age 16, Fulham Prep offers an all-through model and for over 25 years, has provided exceptional co-educational learning for children aged 2 to 13.
Proud to be a leading independent school in London, it offers a supportive and inspiring environment where each pupil’s unique abilities are recognised and developed through a robust curriculum and the encouragement of developing skills. From Nursery to Prep, pupils are supported to cultivate a love of learning and to understand the value of their contributions within both the school and wider community.
Parsons Green Prep School
Smaller in scale than many of its independent counterparts, Parsons Green Prep is a proudly independent and non-denominational institution with teaching grounded in the EYFS, National Curriculum, Independent School Examination Board standards and 11+ expectations.
Alongside strong academic outcomes, the school places equal importance on developing problem-solving skills, confidence and individual interests through a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. Every child is supported to thrive and leaves well-prepared for leading schools in London and beyond, equipped with solid academic foundations and independence.
With so many outstanding schools packed into one neighbourhood, Fulham has become such a magnet for families. Yet, once the school gates close, there are still parks to roam, cafés to retreat to and a calm-but-connected lifestyle that makes Fulham such an easy place to call home.
